Abstract:
This study investigates the biomechanical implications of isolated spinal ligament transection on the lumbar spine using a sophisticated finite element model. The model, rigorously developed and validated against experimental data, allowed for a comparative analysis of spinal motion under intact conditions versus the isolated removal of individual spinal ligaments. Key findings reveal that the transection of a ligament significantly increases stress in the remaining ligaments, which could lead to further ligament damage and alterations in bone remodeling stimuli, potentially influencing bone density. While isolated ligament transection exhibited minimal impact on intervertebral disc pressures, the most pronounced biomechanical changes were localized to the spinal level where the transection occurred, with only minor effects observed at adjacent levels. This research underscores that iatrogenic damage to spinal ligaments can disrupt the intricate load-sharing mechanisms within the spinal-ligament complex, potentially leading to substantial clinical changes in the affected spinal motion segment, thereby emphasizing the critical role of biomechanics in understanding and mitigating surgical impacts.
